Venetian Villas And Vineyards

Our undiscovered corner of Venetia, just 60 mins (but a world away) from bustling Venice is, we think, the perfect setting for a relaxed cycling holiday. The countryside is almost entirely untouched by tourism. The cycling is gentle, and takes you through ancient vineyards, cherry orchards and along hidden canal paths. En route the cuisine is fabulous, and you stay with some of the friendliest people we've ever met -  there's a specially warm welcomes at Valfrido and Angelina's farm hotel near Vicenza, and at the Ottolitri family's hotel just outside Galzignano.This region is bursting with patrician villas, castles and great art cities spanning the 400 years when the area was ruled by the Venetian Republic. Palladio was the most famous Renaissance architect and many of his villas, including Villa Rotonda, can be visited on day 7 of this interest-packed itinerary.